In response to grant funds awarded by the Office of the Governor in August 2013, the Jasper County Sheriff's Office assigned Deputy Andrew "Andy" Authement to the position of Mental Health Officer (MHO) for Jasper County. "Deputy Authement is inspired about his new position as mental health officer," Chief Deputy Glenn Blank commented.

In March 2013, Sheriff Mitchel Newman approached the Jasper County Court in order to address the rising mental health concerns for the county, as well as, propose the creation and implementation of a mental health officer. The County Court approved Newman's proposal to seek grant funding for the position.

"The implementation of a mental health officer is a crucial need for Jasper County," Walter Diggles, the executive director of DETCOG, stated. "The entire county will benefit from the position."

The grant award provides the Jasper County Sheriff's Office with funding for equipment, personnel, training, and operating expenses associated with the implementation of a mental health officer.

"The MHO position will translate Jasper County tax dollars in to efficiency," Rep. White noted.

Authement will work alongside the Burke Center in order to offset the mental health caseload, as well as, ensure the safety of patrol officers by reducing the risks associated with crisis intervention.

"My main focus as mental health officer is to act as the primary resource in Jasper County for the Burke Center," Authement stated. "I feel prepared to take on the mental health challenge in our area."